Docking system for portable computing device

ABSTRACT

A docking system may comprise a case mount for a portable computing device. The case mount can releasably dock and lock with a base mount in any of a number of docking position orientations. A plurality of case mount contacts can be organized into a plurality of case mount contact groups, wherein the case mount contact groups are arranged in a pattern on the case mount that permits a physical connection between a plurality of base mount contacts and a different one of the case mount contact groups for each of the different docking position orientations. Furthermore, an actuator can cause base mount latches to move in a manner that permits disengagement of the case mount from the base mount to an undocked position for the case mount if an undocking force is applied to the case mount.

CROSS-REFERENCE AND PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/659,556, entitled “Docking System for Portable ComputingDevice in an Enclosure”, filed Jul. 25, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No.10,101,770, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/368,947, entitled “Docking System for Tablet Enclosure,”filed Jul. 29, 2016, which are assigned to the assignee hereof and theentire disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The present disclosure relates generally to docking systems, and, moreparticularly, to docking systems for portable computing devices such as,for example, tablet computing devices.

2. Information

As portable computing devices continue to increase in capability andfunctionality, deployment of portable computing devices in businessoffices, hospitals, industrial settings, and other types ofenvironments, also continues to increase. In some instances, such as toassist in obtaining and/or maintaining an advantage over competitors,for example, a business may place a premium on obtaining the mostcapable and/or most up-to-date portable computing devices as soon asthose devices become available. Thus, in addition to securing up-to-dateportable computing devices, such as tablet computing devices, forexample, a business may also obtain protective enclosures, such as casesthat surround and safeguard portable computing devices. Such enclosuresmay reduce the likelihood of damage to the portable computing device inthe event that the device is dropped, rained or spilled upon, or thelike.

At times, portable computing devices may benefit from occasionally beingconnected to docking systems. For example, it may be advantageous todock or attach a portable computing device, such as a tablet computingdevice, for example, to a battery charger to permit charging of anonboard battery. In other instances, it may be advantageous to establisha wired connection between a portable computing device and a particularnetwork, such as to permit more secure communications that may be lessvulnerable to surreptitious electronic eavesdropping of wirelesssignals, for example. However, typical docking systems impose numerousrestrictions on various aspects of docking, utilization, operation,etc., of portable computing devices. These restrictions may, at times,be considered cumbersome and may thus diminish the appeal of particulartypes of portable computing devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Claimed subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctlyclaimed in the concluding portion of the specification. However, both asto organization and/or method of operation, together with objects,features, and/or advantages thereof, it may best be understood byreference to the following detailed description if read with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example docking system or dockingarrangement comprising a portable computing device within an enclosure,which may be docked to a base mount according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example portable computing deviceenclosure, such as that of FIG. 1, attaching to an enclosure side of acase mount of a docking system, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example base side of a casemount attaching to a case side of base mount of a docking system, suchas the base mount of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an example base side of a case mount and a caseside of a base mount of a docking system, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example cam ring, latch, and solenoidactuator, which may permit undocking of the case portion and the baseportion of FIG. 4, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of example electronics modules and/orcomponents comprising a docking system for a portable computing deviceaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view of an example base mount coupled to a folding armextension according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view of an example base mount within a desk or other type ofstand according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an example mount suitable for operationwith Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is another view illustrating an example mount suitable foroperation with RFID according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 11A-11B is a view of an example mount suitable for use with RFID,showing first and second orientations, which may be rotated by the user,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12A is a view of an example base mount and housing suitable forattaching to a table stand according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12B is a view of an example base mount within a housing physicallyconnected to a case mount according to an embodiment.

Reference is made in the following detailed description to accompanyingdrawings, which form a part hereof, wherein like numerals may designatelike parts throughout that are corresponding and/or analogous. It willbe appreciated that the figures have not necessarily been drawn toscale, such as for simplicity and/or clarity of illustration. Forexample, dimensions of some aspects may be exaggerated relative toothers. Further, it is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized. Furthermore, structural and/or other changes may be madewithout departing from claimed subject matter. References throughoutthis specification to “claimed subject matter” refer to subject matterintended to be covered by one or more claims, or any portion thereof,and are not necessarily intended to refer to a complete claim set, to aparticular combination of claim sets (e.g., method claims, apparatusclaims, etc.), or to a particular claim.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

References throughout this specification to one implementation, animplementation, one embodiment, an embodiment, and/or the like meansthat a particular feature, structure, characteristic, and/or the likedescribed in relation to a particular implementation and/or embodimentis included in at least one implementation and/or embodiment of claimedsubject matter. Thus, appearances of such phrases, for example, invarious places throughout this specification are not necessarilyintended to refer to the same implementation and/or embodiment or to anyone particular implementation and/or embodiment. Furthermore, it is tobe understood that particular features, structures, characteristics,and/or the like described are capable of being combined in various waysin one or more implementations and/or embodiments and, therefore, arewithin intended claim scope. In general, of course, as has always beenthe case for the specification of a patent application, these and otherissues have a potential to vary in a particular context of usage. Inother words, throughout the disclosure, particular context ofdescription and/or usage provides helpful guidance regarding reasonableinferences to be drawn; however, likewise, “in this context” in generalwithout further qualification refers at least to the context of thepresent patent application.

Some example methods, apparatuses, and/or articles of manufacture aredisclosed herein that may be used, in whole or in part, to facilitateand/or support one or more operations and/or techniques for a dockingsystem for a portable computing device, such as implemented inconnection with one or more computing and/or communication networks,devices, and/or protocols discussed herein, for example. As used herein,“portable computing device,” “mobile device,” “handheld device,” or liketerms may be used interchangeably and refer to any kind of specialpurpose computing platform and/or apparatus that may from time to timehave a position or location that changes. In some instances, a portablecomputing device may, for example, be capable of communicating withother devices, mobile or otherwise, through wireless transmission orreceipt of information according to one or more communication protocols.As a way of illustration, special purpose portable computing devices mayinclude, for example, cellular telephones, smart telephones, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, personal entertainmentsystems, gaming devices, tablet personal computers (PC), personal audioor video devices, personal navigation devices, or the like. It should beappreciated, however, that these are merely examples of portablecomputing devices that may be used, at least in part, to implement oneor more operations and/or techniques for a docking system, and thatclaimed subject matter is not limited in this regard.

As alluded to previously, portable computing devices, such as tabletcomputing devices, for example, may be protected from damage viaplacement of a computing device within an enclosure while the device isdeployed in an operational environment. Operational environments mayinclude, but are not limited to, offices, hospitals, industrial and/oradministrative settings, business establishments, as well as a widevariety of other types of environments, virtually without limitation.Thus, in many instances, a portable computing device operating within aprotective enclosure may comprise a particularly effective workplacetool due, at least in part, to its ability to provide instantaneouscomputing power to numerous situations. However, a need to occasionallydock a portable computing device, while within a protective enclosure,to a particular docking system may represent a drawback to theconvenience associated with utilizing such computing devices.

For example, in a factory environment, a portable computing device maybe utilized to allow a user, such as a factory equipment operator, toenter a number of parameters collected at various locations within thefactory. At times, the user may dock or return the portable computingdevice to a docking system to permit collected parameters to beprocessed by, for example, more capable, fixed computing stations, suchas a mainframe server, for example. However, if the user is required tointeract with the portable computing device while the device isconnected to a docking system, certain manipulations of the portablecomputing device may not be easily accomplished. For example, if a userselects to display content, such as parameters, forms, etc., utilizing afirst display mode, such as a landscape mode, transition to a seconddisplay mode, such as to a portrait mode, may involve reorienting and/orrearranging hardwired connections, for example.

In addition, it is recognized that particular portable computing devicesmay be compatible with certain particular types or brands of dockingsystems. In some instances, connecting a portable computing device withincompatible or mismatched docking system equipment may, for example,damage a portable computing device, docking system, or both.Accordingly, a portable computing device user operating in a largefactory, hospital, university, for example, may be required to travel asignificant distance simply to find a docking system compatible with hisor her particular portable computing device.

Another example may relate to a use of portable computing devicesoperating as point-of-sale terminals in a retail setting. In suchinstances, one or more retail staff members may, for example, berequired to periodically remove portable computing devices from ordercounters or other forward areas of the retail establishment so that theportable computing devices can be securely stored at the close of abusiness day. However, users may determine that removal of portablecomputing devices from protective enclosures, as well as detaching chipand pin readers and/or other ancillary devices from the portablecomputing device, comprises a burdensome and/or time-consuming task.Additionally, such attaching and reattaching of ancillary devices, aswell as charging devices, which may occur several times per day, maygive rise to undue deterioration of device connectors, receptacles,cables, etc.

Further, portable computing devices operating in retail environments,for example, may be vulnerable to theft by unruly and/or unscrupulousindividuals. Thus, a retail business owner or other personnel, forexample, may secure a portable computing device to a relatively fixedobject utilizing cable and lock mechanism, for example. However, suchphysical security measures may be easily compromised by surreptitiouslyobtaining a key, for example, by severing a cable, or compromised (e.g.,stolen) by other means. In such instances, theft of portable computingdevices may not only represent loss of physical assets, such as theportable computing device itself, but may also represent a loss ofvaluable trade secrets, such as proprietary software, proprietaryconfiguration files, employee passwords, and so forth.

Accordingly, embodiments of claimed subject matter may provide a dockingsystem that alleviates many of the drawbacks and vulnerabilities ofconventional portable computer docking systems. In particularembodiments, a docking system for a portable computing device, such as ahandheld tablet computing device, for example, may permit the portablecomputing device to be easily disengaged and rotated, in a plane,counterclockwise, clockwise, or inverted, so as to accommodate anynumber of computing applications that display parameters in portraitmode or landscape mode, for example. In addition, embodiments mayfacilitate a portable computing device, operating within a protectiveenclosure, to be docked to a large variety of compatible dockingassemblies, which may permit secure communication through a wirednetwork interface, for example, to provide charging of onboard batterieswithout requiring a user to physically insert a cable into a receptacleof the computing device, which may be termed as “cable-free” charging.In particular embodiments, a docking system for a portable computingdevice may additionally comprise, for example, security features thatmay sufficiently reduce the likelihood of theft of the computing devicebut without involving bulky and/or unwieldy cables and/or keyed locks,or other easily-defeated security measures.

In view of the above, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example dockingsystem or docking arrangement comprising a portable computing devicewithin an enclosure, such as portable computing device 150 within anenclosure 120. In embodiments, such as embodiment 100, enclosure 120 maybe secured to a case mount (not shown in FIG. 1) which, in turn, may befixedly secured to base mount 450 according to an embodiment. Base mount450 may cooperate with vertical arms 131 of stand 130 to provide a meansof docking portable computing device 150, which may facilitatecommunications with a wired network, facilitate charging of an onboardbattery, and so forth. As described in detail with respect to FIG. 2 andothers, herein, for example, base mount 450 may be placed into physicalcontact with a case mount (not shown in FIG. 1), which may be attachedto a case side of enclosure 120. In particular embodiments, by fixedlysecuring enclosure 120 to base mount 450, via a case mount, portablecomputing device 150, operating within enclosure 120, may be permittedto rotate or flip about axis 135 of stand 130. For example, in apossible embodiment, such as in a kiosk of retail establishment,portable computing device 150 may display an order listing, for example,showing items ordered by a customer. Store personnel may then turn orflip enclosure 120 about axis 135 in order to permit a customer to viewand/or interact with a display of portable computing device 150. Suchinteraction may include reviewing a transaction, approving atransaction, electronically signing at an appropriate location on adisplay of portable computing device 150, and so forth.

It should be noted that enclosure 120 is merely an example enclosure,which may enclose a tablet computing device, and claimed subject matteris not limited in this respect. In other embodiments, enclosure 120 mayaccommodate other electronic devices, for example, such as other typesof displays and/or devices that provide user interfaces, for example,without necessarily providing “computing” capabilities per se.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example portable computing deviceenclosure of FIG. 1 attaching to an enclosure side of case mount 350 ofa docking system, according to an embodiment 200. In embodiment 200, oneor more screw holes, which may comprise four screw holes, referencedgenerally at 202, are shown as being capable of mating withcorresponding screw bosses 302 of case mount 350. Although notexplicitly indicated in FIG. 2, case mount 350 may comprise, forexample, a port, a cable, or other type of wired connection, which mayfacilitate communication with a portable computing device, such aswithin portable computing device enclosure 120. Case side 160 ofenclosure 120 may additionally include screw holes 210 which may, forexample, accommodate attachment of a hand and/or shoulder strap, forexample, D-ring fasteners, and so forth. In embodiments, use of a handand/or shoulder strap may permit portable computer device 150, forexample, to be securely carried from place to place.

In embodiments, case mount 350 may be capable of facilitating and/orsupporting communications with a variety of portable computing devices,such as tablet computing devices, for example. Accordingly, case mount350 may comprise signal conditioning and/or other electronics, whichfacilitate and/or support communication with, for example, tabletcomputing devices manufactured by the Samsung® Company of South Korea,tablet computing devices manufactured by Apple® Incorporated, ofCupertino Calif., and/or tablet computing devices manufactured by otherentities and claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.Accordingly, portable computing device 150 may comprise any displayand/or computing device and claimed subject matter is not limited inthis respect. In certain embodiments, case plate 205 of portablecomputing device enclosure 120 may comprise a common base plate capableof being interchanged with differently sized portable computing deviceenclosures. Thus, case mount 350 may comprise a capability tocommunicate with various portable computing devices, including tabletcomputing devices comprising various case sizes. By way of example, butnot limitation, in some instances, case sizes of approximately 250.0mm×180.0 mm (9.7 inch×6.9 inch), 230.0 mm×160.0 mm (9.0 inch×6.2 inch),and/or 200.0 mm×130.0 mm (7.7 inch×5.2 inch), 200.0 mm×120.0 mm (7.7inch×4.8 inch) may be used herein, although claimed subject matter isnot limited in this respect. It should also be noted that in particularembodiments, a portable computing device may not be disposed within anenclosure, such as enclosure 120, for example. In such instances, a casemount, such as case mount 350, may be secured to a removable panel ofthe portable computing device.

In particular embodiments, such securing of case side 160 of enclosure120 to an enclosure side of case mount 350 may be facilitated by way ofscrews or other types of fasteners, which may provide compatibility withVESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) mounting brackets.Although four screw-type fasteners may be fitted and/or mated with screwbosses 302 of an enclosure side of case mount 350, embodiments ofclaimed subject matter may utilize a different number of screw-typefasteners and/or screw bosses, or other types of fasteners, for example,to fixedly attach or secure an enclosure side of case mount 350 to, forexample, case side 160 of enclosure 120. For example, an enclosure sideof case mount 350 may be attached or secured to case side 160 ofenclosure 120 utilizing three or fewer screw holes, or may utilize agreater number of screw-type fasteners, such as five or greaterscrew-type fasteners, for example.

As described in detail herein, case mount 350 may be removably securedto base mount 450 by way of one or more notches which may operate tophysically connect with latches of base mount 450. Base mount 450 mayattach or couple to a relatively fixed and/or stable surface, such as awall or a desk, or may be attached to a base or stand, just toillustrate possible examples.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example base side of a casemount, such as case mount 350 of FIG. 2, for example, attaching to acase side of base mount of a docking system, such as base mount 450 ofFIG. 2, according to an embodiment 300. As shown in FIG. 3, screw bosses302 are present at an enclosure side of case mount 350 of FIG. 3. Inembodiments, case mount 350 may be referred to as a “male” mount, andbase mount 450 may be referred to as a “female” mount. As shown in FIG.3, base mount 450 may comprise, for example, one or more attachmentmeans, such as latches 410A-410D capable of fixedly securing case mount350 to base mount 450, such as via one or more corresponding notches420A-420D, for example. In embodiments, as the base side of case mount350 is brought toward the case side of base mount 450, such as alongdotted line 425, four of latches 410A-410D may couple to four(corresponding) notches 420A-420D, wherein latches and notches aredisposed in one of four quadrants each disposed at approximately 90.0°increments. However, claimed subject matter is intended to embrace useof any number of latches, and corresponding notches, such as three orfewer latches and corresponding notches, as well as five or more latchesand corresponding notches, for example. In one particular embodiment,three latches and three corresponding notches may be utilized whereinlatches and notches are each disposed at approximately 120.0°increments.

In particular embodiments, case mount 350 may comprise, for example, acircular or round-shaped body having a plurality of contacts 435, andone or more notches 420A-420D. Also in particular embodiments, basemount 450 may comprise a plurality contact pins such as “pogo” pins 430(further described with reference to FIG. 4) embedded therein and one ormore latches 410A-410D. Case mount 350 may be matingly received by basemount 450 in a manner that engages latches 410A-410D with correspondingnotches 420A-420D. In embodiments, when latches 410A-410D are engagedwith corresponding notches 420A-420D, a plurality of contacts 435 arebrought into physical contact with base mount contacts 430.

Additionally, although latches 410A-410D and notches 420A-420D are shownin FIG. 3 as being spaced apart from one another by approximately 90.0°on an approximately circular surface of case mount 350, claimed subjectmatter is intended to embrace any spacing of latches and correspondingnotches. In embodiments 300 and 400, latch 410A may physically connectwith or attach to notch 420A, latch 410B may physically connect with orattach to notch 420B, latch 410C may physically connect with or attachto notch 420C, and latch 410D may physically connect with or attach tonotch 420D, for example. In particular embodiments, utilizing three orfour, for example, latches and notches disposed around base mount 450and case mount 350 may operate to facilitate uniform clamping pressureto secure base mount 450 to case mount 350.

As shown in FIG. 3, if case mount 350 and base mount 450 are connectedto one another, such as by securing latches 410A-410D with correspondingones of notches 420A-420D, base mount contacts 430 may connect withcontacts 435, for example, of a contact group of case mount 350. Inparticular embodiments, as described in reference to FIG. 3 and othersherein, base mount contacts 430 may be capable of physically connectingto one of four contact groups divided into four electrically independentquadrants of case mount 350. For example, in certain embodiments, asingle set of contacts of base mount 450 may connect with contacts of acontact group of case mount 350 while case mount 350 is oriented at oneof four electrically divided quadrants, oriented at, for example, atapproximately 0.0°, 90.0°, 180.0°, and 270.0°, for example. Accordingly,if a case mount is mounted, for example, to a portable computing deviceenclosure, such as portable computing device enclosure 120 as shown inFIG. 1, the portable computing device enclosure may be rotated in aplane so as to be oriented, for example, at 0.0°, 90.0°, 180.0°, or270.0°, thus corresponding to use of a portable computing device in oneof four orientations, which may include a portrait mode, a landscapemode, an inverted mode (e.g., upside down), and so forth.

In embodiments, base mount 450 may comprise a manual lock/unlock feature440. Accordingly, responsive to insertion of, for example, a rod orcylinder-shaped tool, perhaps accompanied by applying clockwise orcounterclockwise rotation, for example, latches 410A-410D may bemanually disengaged from corresponding notches 420A-420D, for example.In particular embodiments, base mount 450 may be unlatched or disengagedfrom case mount 350 via a computer-implemented method or applicationthat runs on portable computing device 150, for example.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an example base side of a case mount and a caseside of a base mount of a docking system, according to an embodiment400. As shown in FIG. 4, case mount 350 is secured to case side 160 ofportable computing device enclosure 120 to correspond with operation ofan enclosed portable computing device in a landscape display mode.Additionally, although not shown in FIG. 4, one or more cables or otherwired connections may permit communication and signaling between anenclosed portable computing device and case mount 350. If case mount 350and base mount 450 are connected to one another, base mount contacts 510may be connected to contacts of contact group 515A. To maintainconnection between base mount contacts 510 and contact group 515A,latches of base mount 450, as represented by latch 410A, may be engagedwith and/or fully seated within notches of case mount 350, asrepresented by notch 420A. Base mount contacts 510 may compriseelectrical contacts to provide, for example, electrical power tocircuitry of case mount 350 and portable computing device 120 as well asa serial or parallel bus interface, for example.

In particular embodiments, operations and/or functions of contact group515A, shown in a first quadrant of a surface of case mount 350, forexample, may be replicated in electrically divided/independent quadrantscomprising contact groups 515B, 515C, and 515D. Thus, in certainembodiments, case mount 350, which may be attached to portable computingdevice enclosure 120, may be disengaged from base mount 450 and rotated90.0°, as represented by arrow 520, and reengaged with base mount 450 topermit contact group 515B to come into contact with base mount contacts510. Likewise, case mount 350 may be disengaged from base mount 450 androtated an additional 90.0° to permit contact group 515C to come intocontact with base mount contacts 510. Further, case mount 350 may bedisengaged from base mount 450 and rotated an additional 90.0° so as topermit contact group 515D to come into contact with base mount contacts510. In addition, as case mount 350 is rotated relative to base mount450, latches of case mount 350, as represented by latch 410A, remaincapable of coupling with corresponding notches of base mount 450.

In particular embodiments, base mount contacts 510 may comprisespring-loaded contacting pins such as “pogo” pins comprising relativelyslender cylinder-shaped pins, wherein a top and/or distal portion of apogo pin is capable of extension and/or retraction relative to a baseportion of the pin. However, it should be noted that base mount contacts510 may utilize other approaches toward maintaining a sufficient and/orsuitable electrical connection with individual contacts of contactgroups 515A-515D, and claimed subject matter is not limited in thisrespect. In addition, it should be noted that although 12 of base mountcontacts 510 are indicated in FIG. 4, claimed subject matter is intendedto embrace any number of contacts in a contact group, such as fewer than12 contacts, such as 4, 6, 8, or 10 contacts, as well as greater than 12contacts, such as 16 contacts, 20 contacts, virtually withoutlimitation. In addition, it should be noted that although operationsand/or functions of contact group 515A may be replicated by like orsimilar operations and/or functions of contact groups 515B-515D, claimedsubject matter is intended to embrace any number of replications bycontact groups, such as fewer than 3 replications, for example, orgreater than 4 replications, such as 5 or more, for example. Further,although base mount contacts 510 and contact groups 515A-515D may beorganized into electrically divided quadrants comprising anapproximately circular arc, claimed subject matter is intended toembrace contacts arranged in any geometry, such as a two-dimensionalpatch, in which contacts are arranged in a plurality of rows and/orcolumns, virtually without limitation. Additionally, although case mount350 and base mount 450 are indicated in FIG. 4 (for example) ascomprising a substantially circular shape, embodiments of claimedsubject matter may comprise different shapes, such as substantiallytriangular shapes, substantially rectangular shapes, elliptical shapes,and so forth.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example cam ring comprising, forexample, latches and solenoid actuators, which may permit undocking of aportable computing device within an enclosure from a base mount 450 of adocking system, such as via a case mount 350 and a base mount, accordingto an embodiment 500. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, latches 410A-410D,which may be positioned around the perimeter of cam ring 451 withinhousing 450A of a base mount, such as base mount 450, for example.Latches 410A-410D may be coupled to cam ring 451, such as by tab 411A oflatch 410A and tab 411D of latch 410D. Latches 410B and 410D mayadditionally comprise tabs similar to tabs 411A and 411D, although notshown explicitly in FIG. 5 for reasons of clarity. It should be notedthat latches 410A-410D may couple to cam ring 451 via other attachmentmeans, and claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, sufficient electrical current flowingwithin a coil, for example, of solenoid actuators 462A and 462B, mayfacilitate movement of fasteners 464A and 464B along respectivelongitudinal axes of bodies of solenoid actuators 462A and 462B,respectively. In a particular embodiment, action of solenoid actuator462A in the direction of arrow 463A and solenoid actuator 462B in thedirection of arrow 463B may facilitate rotational movement of cam ring451 in relation to latches 410A-410D by approximately 3.0° in aclockwise direction, as referenced via arrow 465. Responsive torotational movement of cam ring 451, tab 411A, for example, may be drawntowards the body of latch 410A, and tab 411D may be drawn towards thebody of latch 410D. In response to movement of tab 411A and 411D, aswell as similar tabs of latches 410B and 410C (not shown in FIG. 5),latches 410A-410D may be drawn toward a central axis of cam ring 451such as indicated via arrows 447A, 447B, 447C, and 447D. In embodiments,an inward drawing of latches 410A-410D may facilitate engagement of, forexample, case mount 350 of FIG. 5 by latches 410A-410D. In theembodiment of FIG. 5, after an electrical current is removed fromsolenoid actuators 462A and 462B, springs 467A and 467B, which may beanchored to a housing or structure adjacent to cam ring 451, forexample, may return cam ring 451 to its previous position, such as byrotating cam ring 451 by approximately 3.0° in a counterclockwisedirection. In an embodiment, by rotating cam ring 451 by approximately3.0° in a counterclockwise direction may, for example, permit movementof latches 410A-410D in a direction opposite arrows 447A, 447B, 447C,and 447D. Such movement of latches 410A-410D may thus facilitatedisengagement of base mount 450 from case mount 350.

In another embodiment, fasteners 464A and 464B of solenoid actuators462A and 462B, respectively, may operate to hold a solenoid slug intoposition within the body of the solenoid and against a tensioned spring,wherein the spring operates to apply a force along a longitudinal axisof a solenoid actuator. In such an embodiment, orientation of solenoidactuators 462A and 462B may be reversed from the orientation shown inFIG. 5. Accordingly, in such embodiment, after solenoid actuators 462Aand 462B are energized utilizing a sufficient electrical current flowingthrough the coil of the solenoid, for example, solenoid actuatorlongitudinal shafts 464C and 464D may apply a force to a raised wall(not shown on cam ring 451 of FIG. 5), thereby rotating cam ring 451 by,for example, approximately 3.0° in a counterclockwise direction. Inother embodiments, cam ring 451 may be rotated by angles less than 3.0°,such as 1.0°, 2.0°, for example, or maybe rotate by angles greater than3.0°, such as 4.0°, 5.0°, and so forth, and claimed subject matter isnot limited in this respect.

It should be noted that embodiments of claimed subject matter mayembrace a variety of approaches, other than that of the embodiment ofFIG. 5, which may bring about the engagement and disengagement of casemount 350 from base mount 450. For example, in an embodiment, a singlesolenoid actuator or multiple solenoid actuators (such as 3 solenoidactuators, 4 solenoid actuators, and so forth) may be utilized tofacilitate movement of cam ring 451. It should be noted that claimedsubject matter is intended to embrace any type of actuator or other typeof device that facilitates movement of cam ring 451. In addition,embodiments of claimed subject matter may utilize a single spring, suchas spring 467A, to permit cam ring 451 to return to a previous position(e.g. approximately 3.0° in a counterclockwise direction) after currentthrough solenoid actuators 462A and 462B has been removed. Further,although embodiment 600 describes rotational movement of cam ring 451 byapproximately 3.0° to facilitate engagement of latches 410A-410D withcorresponding notches, claimed subject matter is intended to embracemovement of cam ring 451 by different angles, such as angles less than3.0°, such as 1.0°, 2.0°, and so forth, as well as angles greater than3.0°, such as 5.0°, 10.0°, and so forth.

In particular embodiments, latches 410A-410D may engage with notches420A-420D via a locking approach rather than by way of application ofclamping pressure to notches 420A-420D. For example, in an embodiment,latch 410A, for example, may engage with notch 420A, wherein latch 410Amay be positioned on or over an extending lip of notch 420A. In aparticular embodiment, one or more springs, for example, may facilitatedeflection of the latch, during engagement and/or disengagement of latch410A with notch 420A. After such deflection, for example, latch 410A maycome to rest under the extending lip of notch 420A. In embodiments, if auser attempts to separate case mount 350 from base mount 450, proximityof latch 410A with notch 420A, for example operates to separation ofcase mount 350 from base mount 450. In particular embodiments, if one ormore solenoid is utilized to actuate the cam ring, latch 410A, forexample, may be moved outward, such as in a direction opposite arrows447A, thus permitting latch 410A to become disengaged from a lip ofnotch 420A, thereby permitting case mount 350 to be separated from basemount 450.

In particular embodiments, one or more magnets positioned around camring 451 may provide an additional approach toward securing base mount450 to case mount 350. In embodiments, magnets may be built into housing450A so as to provide attraction to corresponding metallic elements ofcase mount 350. In particular embodiments, use of magnets in base mount450 may facilitate case mount 350 and enclosure 120 to be held intoplace instead of or in addition to engaging latches 410A-410D with oneor more of notches 420A-420D.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of electronics modules and/or componentscomprising a docking system for a portable computing device according toan embodiment 600. In the embodiment of FIG. 6 base mount 450 may bemounted or otherwise fastened to a fixed object 710. In embodiments,fixed object 710 may represent a wall, article of furniture (e.g. wall,desk, bookcase, etc.), or any other type of relatively fixed and/orstable object. Base mount 450 may comprise network interface 480, whichmay represent any type of network and/or subnetwork which maycommunicate, for example, via signal packets and/or signal frames, suchvia participating digital devices and may be substantially compliantand/or substantially compatible with, but is not limited to, now knownand/or to be developed, versions of any of the following networkprotocol stacks: ARCNET, AppleTalk, ATM, Bluetooth, DECnet, Ethernet,FDDI, Frame Relay, HIPPI, IEEE 1394, IEEE 802.11, IEEE-488, InternetProtocol Suite, IPX, Myrinet, OSI Protocol Suite, QsNet, RS-232, SPX,System Network Architecture, Token Ring, USB, and/or X.25. A networkand/or sub-network may employ, for example, a version, now known and/orlater to be developed, of the following: TCP/IP, UDP, DECnet, NetBEUI,IPX, AppleTalk and/or the like. Versions of the Internet Protocol (IP)may include IPv4, IPv6, and/or other later to be developed versions.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, base mount 450 may receive electricalpower, such as in the form an approximately 24-volt signal utilizing oneor more conductors. In a particular embodiment, wherein networkinterface 480 comprises an Ethernet interface, base mount 450 mayreceive an approximately 24.0 V signal utilizing Power over Ethernet, inaccordance with one or more revisions of IEEE 802.3af-2003, IEEE802.3at-2009, or the like, available from the IEEE standards group. Inembodiments, network interface 480 may utilize a single conductor andground pair, or may utilize a number of conductors in accordance withvoltage and current requirements of base mount 450, case mount 350,and/or portable computing device 150, for example. In other embodiments,base mount 450 may receive alternating current and/or direct currentutilizing other types of power sourcing equipment, and claimed subjectmatter is not limited in this respect.

Network interface 480 of FIG. 6 may direct received alternating and/ordirect current electrical power in the direction of DC-DCconverter/regulator 482. In embodiments, DC-DC converter/regulator 482may comprise circuitry to convert and/or to regulate received electricalpower to comprise voltage and/or current parameters suitable for use by,for example, network protocol converter 484, microcontroller 490, lockcontroller 488, auxiliary Universal Serial Bus (USB) 484, as well asvoltage and/or current parameters suitable for use by components of thecase mount 350 and portable computing device 150, for example. Inparticular embodiments, DC-DC converter/regulator 482 may provide outputsignals comprising voltages of 5.0 VDC, 12.0 VDC, although claimedsubject matter is not limited in this respect. Rather, claimed subjectmatter is intended to embrace voltage and/or currentconversion/regulation so as to provide any number of DC and/or ACvoltages, such as voltage signals of less than 5.0 volts, voltagesignals greater than 12.0 volts. In embodiments, DC-DCconverter/regulator 482 may perform voltage up-conversion to providevoltage signals greater than 24.0 VDC, such as 28.0 VDC, 36.0 VDC, 48.0VDC, and so forth, virtually without limitation, and claimed subjectmatter is not limited in this respect.

Network protocol converter 484 may operate to facilitate protocolconversion between Ethernet and USB, although claimed subject matter isintended to embrace protocol conversion between any number of serialand/or parallel data stream conversions. Although not explicitly shownin FIG. 6, network protocol converter 484 may execute conversion ofbinary digital signals between auxiliary USB driver 486 and networkinterface 480. In embodiments, auxiliary USB driver 486 may facilitatecommunications with ancillary USB devices. In an embodiment, auxiliaryUSB driver 486 may communicate with a radiofrequency identification(RFID) card reader, not shown in FIG. 6, which may facilitateactivation/deactivation of lock controller 488. Lock controller 488 maybe capable of actuating latch actuator 462, in a manner described inreference to FIG. 5, for example, to move cam ring 451 to permit latches410A-410D to disengage from corresponding notches of a case mount, forexample. Accordingly, a user may be provided with the capability ofunlocking case mount 350 from base mount 450 by responsive to receipt ofa signal from a compatible RFID card reader. It should be noted thatcompatible RFID card readers may operate at any suitable frequency, suchas 100.0 kHz, 13.56 MHz, 900.0 MHz, or at virtually any other frequencyband, and claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

Latches 410A-410D may also be disengaged and or engaged fromcorresponding notches of a case mount, for example, responsive toreceipt of an instruction generated by a computer program operating, forexample, on portable computing device 150. In addition, in particularembodiments, prior to release of latches 410A-410D, lock controller 488may notify DC-DC converter/regulator 482 to remove power from base mountcontacts 510. In certain embodiments, removal of power, such as DCpower, for example, may minimize or reduce likelihood of electricalarcing between one or more of base mount contacts 510 and one or morecontacts of contact group 515A-515D. Such arcing may be prone tooccurring if an electrical current, such as may flow through one ofcontact groups 515A-515D to one or more of base mount contacts 510, forexample, is interrupted, such as by electrically disconnecting one ofcontact group 515 from base mount contacts 510.

Microcontroller 490 may direct operations of base mount 450. Inembodiments, microcontroller 490 may comprise one or more computerprocessors coupled to one or more memory devices, which may provide oneor more sources of executable computer instructions in the form physicalstates and/or signals (e.g., stored in memory states), for example.Microcontroller 490 may communicate with portable computing device 150by way of base mount contacts 510, which may physically connect (e.g.,via pogo pins) to contact group 515A, contact group 515B, contact group515C, or contact group 515D, as described with reference to FIG. 4, forexample. Accordingly, microcontroller 490 may communicate with casemount 350, which may be physically coupled or directly attached toportable computing device 150, as shown in FIG. 6, while case mount 350and portable computing device 150 are oriented at 0.0°, 90.0°, 180.0°,or 270.0° as shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 6, network protocol converter 484 of base mount 450 maycommunicate with case mount 350 utilizing, for example, a USB interface.Accordingly, in particular embodiments, as shown by dotted lines in FIG.6, base mount contacts 510 may physically connect to one of contactgroups 515A-515D, according to a desired electrically divided quadrantof case mount 350 with respect to base mount 450. In the embodiment ofFIG. 6, when contact group 515B of case mount 350, for example, isutilized to communicate with base mount 450, as depicted via the solidline in FIG. 6, conductor L₁ may appear as a substantially open-circuitconductor, which may introduce parasitic capacitive effects, which maybe capable of degrading USB signal quality. Similarly, when contactgroup 515C is utilized, conductor L₂ may appear as a substantiallyopen-circuit conductor also capable of degrading USB signal quality. Inaddition, in particular embodiments, USB communications may occur atdata rate of, for example, approximately 400.0 Mb per second,approximately 800.0 Mb per second, or higher bit rate. Accordingly,frequency components of transmitted data signals may comprisefrequencies of approximately 400.0 MHz or higher frequencies, which mayinclude approximately 800.0 MHz harmonics, approximately 1200.0 MHzharmonics, and so forth. Thus, conductor lengths, such as L₁ and/or L₂may begin to approach a significant fraction of a free space wavelengthof a signal frequency. In one example, for USB communications utilizinga data rate of 400.0 Mb/second, thus comprising frequency components of400.0 MHz or higher, free-space wavelength may be calculatedsubstantially in accordance with expression 1, below:(3.0×10¹⁰ cm/s)/(400.0×10⁶/s)=75.0 cm  (1)Accordingly, a conductor comprising a length of 75.0 cm corresponds tothe free-space wavelength of a 400.0 MHz signal. Thus, at least inparticular embodiments, conductor lengths, such as L₁ and L₂, forexample, of FIG. 6 comprise a length of less than one quarter wavelength(λ/4.0), or 75.0/4.0=18.75 cm (7.4 inches). By maintaining conductorlength L₁, below a specified length, 400.0 Mb/second communications maybe conducted between, for example, base mount 450 and USB hub 386,utilizing contact group 515B without significant parasitic effect fromconductor L₁, for example. Similarly, by maintaining conductor lengthand L₂ below a specified length, 400.0 Mb/second communication speedconducted between, for example, base mount 450 and USB hub 386 utilizingcontact group 515C without significant parasitic effects from conductorL₂, for example.

In certain embodiments, it may be advantageous to utilize conductorlengths equivalent to significantly smaller fractions, such as one-tenthof one-quarter (λ/40) of the free-space wavelengths of signalfrequencies (e.g., 400.0 MHz), which may be computed substantially inaccordance with expression 2, below:(18.75 cm)/10.0=1.875 cm=0.738 inch

Thus, in particular embodiments, it may be advantageous to maintainconductor lengths within case mount 350, for example, to less thanone-tenth of one quarter wavelength (λ/4), of a signal frequency. Ifconductor lengths comprise less than approximately λ/40, input signalimpedance, such as input signal impedance computed or assessed at one ofcontact groups 515A, 515B, 515C, or 515D, for example, may facilitate avoltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of less than 1.67:1.0. In otherembodiments, conductor lengths maintained below approximatelyone-sixteenth of one-quarter wavelength of a signal frequency (e.g.,1/16 of λ/4) may facilitate an input signal VSWR of less than, forexample, 1.5:1.0. In other embodiments, VSWR of 2.0:1.0 may comprise anupper threshold, above which measures of signal quality, such as biterror rate and signal plus noise and distortion (SINAD), may reachunacceptable levels, for example.

Further, in embodiments in which USB communications occurs at increaseddata communication speeds, such as 800.0 Mb per second, conductorlengths, such as conductor lengths within case mount 350, may be scaledaccordingly so as to maintain an input signal VSWR of less than, forexample, 1.5:1.0. In such an instance, just as an example, conductorlengths comprising 1/16 of λ/4 (e.g., 0.934 cm or 0.369 inch computedfor a signal frequency of 800.0 MHz) may facilitate an input signal VSWRof less than 1.5:1.0. In embodiments, strip line and/or microstriptransmission lines may be utilized to convey signals to and from contactgroup 515A, for example, to contact group interface 382, althoughclaimed subject matter is not limited to any particular transmissionline technique. In embodiments, contact group interface 382 and USB hub386 are positioned proximate with contact group 515B and contact group5.5 C so as to allow conductor lengths L3 and L4 to be negligibly smallin relation to free space wavelength (λ).

Case mount 350 may additionally comprise external USB ports 368, forexample. In particular embodiments, external USB ports 388 may becoupled to a chip and/or pin reader, such as for use in a retailestablishment, for example, a barcode reader, a magnetic stripe reader,and so forth, as may be appropriate for service and/or other types ofenvironments wherein the portable computing device 150, for example, maybe utilized. It should be noted that external USB ports 388 may operateto communicate with additional types of devices, and claimed subjectmatter is not limited in this respect. Case mount 350 may furthercomprise voltage signaling module 384, which may comprise, for example,a signature resistor, which may provide an indication to microcontroller490 of base mount 450 as to an operating voltage of portable computingdevice 150. For example, in one embodiment, if voltage signaling module384 comprises an approximately 5.0 kΩ resistor, microcontroller 490 mayinstruct DC-DC converter/regulator to provide 12.0 V, just as a possibleexample, for use by portable computing device 150.

Case mount 350 may additionally comprise device-specific signalconditioning 392, which may adapt one or more discrete signals from basemount 450 to signals capable of being interpreted by portable computingdevice 150. For example, device-specific signal conditioning 392 mayprovide appropriate signal levels at, for example, appropriate timingintervals specific to portable computing device 150. Device-specificsignal conditioning 392 may provide overvoltage protection to portablecomputing device 150 such as, for example, by terminating a voltagesignal to portable computing device 150 that may bring about damage tothe portable computing device, for example. In another embodiment,device-specific signal conditioning 392 may provide a signal to portablecomputing device 150 to indicate that an external USB port, such as oneor more of external USB ports 388, for example, is to be powered by basemount 450 rather than portable computing device 150, just as an example.Case mount 350 may further comprise device charge monitor 390, whichmay, for example, monitor a rate of charging of portable computingdevice 150, which may ensure that portable computing device 150 does notconsume electrical current at a rate beyond one or more specifiedlimits. In addition, case mount 350 comprises device-specific wiringinterface 394, in which conductors are arranged and/or organized into acable suitable for use with portable computing device 150. In oneexample, device-specific wiring interface 394 provide communication withan Apple iPad® utilizing, for example, a “lightning” connector.

FIG. 7 is a view of a base mount coupled to a folding arm extensionaccording to an alternative embodiment 700. In the embodiment of FIG. 7,base mount 450 may be physically connected to a base side arm of foldingarm extension 710. An opposite side of folding arm extension 710 may bephysically connected to a wall, column, or other substantially fixedobject, such as wall 715. Accordingly, base mount 450 may be capable ofextending from wall 715, for example, as well as moving from side toside based, at least in part, on the capabilities of folding armextension 710. It should be noted that although folding arm extension710 comprises a single base side arm, which may connect to base mount450, and comprises a pair of arms at an opposite side, which may connectto wall 715, claimed subject matter is intended to embrace any type offolding arm extension virtually without limitation.

FIG. 8 is a view of a base mount within a desk or other type of standaccording to an alternative embodiment 800. As shown in FIG. 8, basemount 450 may be disposed within a surface of base pedestal 810.Accordingly, notches of a case mount (e.g., case mount 350) may operateto physically connect with latches of a base mount (e.g., base mount450). Such a configuration may be particularly beneficial for use in aretail environment, wherein base pedestal 810 may form at least aportion of a point-of-sale terminal utilized by customers and/or storepersonnel.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a mount suitable for operation with RadioFrequency Identification (RFID) according to an embodiment 900. Asindicated in FIG. 9, RFID mount 910 may be mounted beneath base mount450. In embodiments, RFID mount 910 may accommodate a number of mountingfeatures, which may permit RFID sensor 915 two comprise any one of anumber of RFID sensors available from a number of manufacturers, such asMotorola®, Alien® Technology, Applied Wireless®, and so forth. Thus, inembodiments, a mounting feature of a desired RFID sensor may be utilizedto secure RFID sensor 915 to mount 910 mounted beneath base mount 450.In embodiments, such a capability of mount 910 to accommodate a numberof diverse types of RFID sensors may permit a customer to modify andRFID sensor without modifying, for example, base mount 450. Accordingly,in an environment that utilizes an installed base of RFID sensors forother types of equipment (e.g., RFID sensors to permit access control tosensitive areas of a factory) a user may be provided with the capabilityof employing identical, or at least compatible, RFID sensors to controllatching and unlatching of enclosure 120 from base mount 450.

It should be noted that although RFID mount 910 is shown disposeddirectly beneath base mount 450, in other embodiments, mount 910 may bepositioned at different locations, for a variety of reasons, such asergonomics, handicapped access (Americans with Disabilities Act), speed,and/or ease of use.

FIG. 10 is another view illustrating a mount suitable for operation withRFID according to an embodiment 1000. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, aphysical feature of RFID sensor 915 may be inserted into recess 920, androtated counterclockwise, for example, which may permit RFID sensor 915to be locked into recess 920, for example. In embodiments, cablingbetween RFID sensor and base mount 450 may be constructed so as to allowrotation of sensor 915 with respect to RFID mount 910.

FIGS. 11A-11B is a view of a mount suitable for use with RFID, showingfirst and second orientations, which may be rotated by the user,according to embodiments. In embodiment 1100 (FIG. 11A), the axis ofRFID sensor 915 is shown oriented at an angle of approximately 90.0°with respect to the axis of RFID mount 910. In embodiment 1150, (FIG.11B) the axis of RFID sensor 915 is shown as oriented so as to at leastapproximately coincide with the axis of RFID mount 910.

FIG. 12A is a view of a base mount and housing suitable for attaching toa table stand according to an embodiment 1200. In the embodiment of FIG.12, base mount 450 is disposed within a housing 1245. Housing 1245comprises mating provisions 1215 to allow insertion between verticalarms 1230 and 1231 of table stand 1225. In embodiments, insertion ofhousing 1245 between vertical arms 1230 and 1231 of table stand 1225 maypermit rotation of housing 1245 about axis 1235.

In particular embodiments, hinge 1232 may be designed to present apredetermined threshold amount of friction during, for example, rotationof base mount 450 and housing 1245 about axis 1235. In a particularembodiment, hinge 1232 may be capable of presenting sufficient frictionso as to require torque approximately in the range of 1.0-10.0 Nm torotate base mount 450 and housing 1245 about axis 1235, and claimedsubject matter is not limited in this respect.

FIG. 12B is a view of a base mount within a housing physically connectedto a case mount 350 according to an embodiment 1250. Case mount 350 isshown in FIG. 12B as physically connected to enclosure 120 so as topermit rotation of enclosure 120 with respect to axis 1240. Inparticular embodiments, such a configuration may permit case mount 350and portable computing device enclosure 120 to be rotated with respectto axis 1240. In the embodiment of FIG. 12B, which may be advantageousfor use in a retail establishment, for example, an employee of theretail establishment may initiate a transaction, such as via a portablecomputing device with in enclosure 120. After such initiation, theemployee may rotate computing device enclosure 120 about axis 1240, suchas depicted by arrow 1236, which may permit a customer, for example, toapprove the initiated transaction. In embodiments, such approval mayinvolve a user, such as a customer, for example, signing his or her nameat an appropriate location, such as via a stylus or via an index finger,for example.

In the context of the present disclosure, the term “connection,” theterm “component” and/or similar terms are intended to be physical, butare not necessarily always tangible. Whether or not these terms refer totangible subject matter, thus, may vary in a particular context ofusage. As an example, a tangible connection and/or tangible connectionpath may be made, such as by a tangible, electrical connection, such asan electrically conductive path comprising metal or other electricalconductor, that is able to conduct electrical current between twotangible components. Likewise, a tangible connection path may be atleast partially affected and/or controlled, such that, as is typical, atangible connection path may be open or closed, at times resulting frominfluence of one or more externally derived signals, such as externalcurrents and/or voltages, such as for an electrical switch. Non-limitingillustrations of an electrical switch include a transistor, a diode,etc. However, a “connection” and/or “component” in a particular contextof usage, likewise, although physical, can also be non-tangible, such asa connection between a client and a server over a network, whichgenerally refers to the ability for the client and server to transmit,receive, and/or exchange communications, as discussed in more detaillater.

In a particular context of usage, such as a particular context in whichtangible components are being discussed, therefore, the terms “coupled”and “connected” are used in a manner so that the terms are notsynonymous. Similar terms may also be used in a manner in which asimilar intention is exhibited. Thus, “connected” is used to indicatethat two or more tangible components and/or the like, for example, aretangibly in direct physical contact. Thus, using the previous example,two tangible components that are electrically connected are physicallyconnected via a tangible electrical connection, as previously discussed.However, “coupled,” is used to mean that potentially two or moretangible components are tangibly in direct physical contact.Nonetheless, is also used to mean that two or more tangible componentsand/or the like are not necessarily tangibly in direct physical contact,but are able to co-operate, liaise, and/or interact, such as, forexample, by being “optically coupled.” Likewise, the term “coupled” maybe understood to mean indirectly connected in an appropriate context. Itis further noted, in the context of the present disclosure, the term“physical,” if used in relation to memory, such as memory components ormemory states, as examples, necessarily implies that memory, memorycomponents, and/or memory states, continuing with the example, istangible.

Additionally, in the present disclosure, in a particular context ofusage, such as a situation in which tangible components (and/orsimilarly, tangible materials) are being discussed, a distinction existsbetween being “on” and being “over.” As an example, deposition of asubstance “on” a substrate refers to a deposition involving directphysical and tangible contact without an intermediary, such as anintermediary substance (e.g., an intermediary substance formed during anintervening process operation), between the substance deposited and thesubstrate in this latter example; nonetheless, deposition “over” asubstrate, while understood to potentially include deposition “on” asubstrate (since being “on” may also accurately be described as being“over”), is understood to include a situation in which one or moreintermediaries, such as one or more intermediary substances, are presentbetween the substance deposited and the substrate so that the substancedeposited is not necessarily in direct physical and tangible contactwith the substrate.

A similar distinction is made in an appropriate particular context ofusage, such as in which tangible materials and/or tangible componentsare discussed, between being “beneath” and being “under.” While“beneath,” in such a particular context of usage, is intended tonecessarily imply physical and tangible contact (similar to “on,” asjust described), “under” potentially includes a situation in which thereis direct physical and tangible contact, but does not necessarily implydirect physical and tangible contact, such as if one or moreintermediaries, such as one or more intermediary substances, arepresent. Thus, “on” is understood to mean “immediately over” and“beneath” is understood to mean “immediately under.”

It is likewise appreciated that terms such as “over” and “under” areunderstood in a similar manner as the terms “up,” “down,” “top,”“bottom,” and so on, previously mentioned. These terms may be used tofacilitate discussion, but are not intended to necessarily restrictscope of claimed subject matter. For example, the term “over,” as anexample, is not meant to suggest that claim scope is limited to onlysituations in which an embodiment is right side up, such as incomparison with the embodiment being upside down, for example. Anexample includes a flip chip, as one illustration, in which, forexample, orientation at various times (e.g., during fabrication) may notnecessarily correspond to orientation of a final product. Thus, if anobject, as an example, is within applicable claim scope in a particularorientation, such as upside down, as one example, likewise, it isintended that the latter also be interpreted to be included withinapplicable claim scope in another orientation, such as right side up,again, as an example, and vice-versa, even if applicable literal claimlanguage has the potential to be interpreted otherwise. Of course,again, as always has been the case in the specification of a patentapplication, particular context of description and/or usage provideshelpful guidance regarding reasonable inferences to be drawn.

Unless otherwise indicated, in the context of the present disclosure,the term “or” if used to associate a list, such as A, B, or C, isintended to mean A, B, and C, here used in the inclusive sense, as wellas A, B, or C, here used in the exclusive sense. With thisunderstanding, “and” is used in the inclusive sense and intended to meanA, B, and C; whereas “and/or” can be used in an abundance of caution tomake clear that all of the foregoing meanings are intended, althoughsuch usage is not required. In addition, the term “one or more” and/orsimilar terms is used to describe any feature, structure,characteristic, and/or the like in the singular, “and/or” is also usedto describe a plurality and/or some other combination of features,structures, characteristics, and/or the like. Furthermore, the terms“first,” “second,” and “third,” and the like are used to distinguishdifferent aspects, such as different components, as one example, ratherthan supplying a numerical limit or suggesting a particular order,unless expressly indicated otherwise. Likewise, the term “based on”and/or similar terms are understood as not necessarily intending toconvey an exhaustive list of factors, but to allow for existence ofadditional factors not necessarily expressly described.

It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of commonusage, to refer to such physical signals and/or physical states as bits,values, elements, parameters, symbols, characters, terms, numbers,numerals, measurements, content, and/or the like. It should beunderstood, however, that all of these and/or similar terms are to beassociated with appropriate physical quantities and are merelyconvenient labels. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparentfrom the preceding discussion, it is appreciated that throughout thisspecification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,”“computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “establishing,” “obtaining,”“identifying,” “selecting,” “generating,” and/or the like may refer toactions and/or processes of a specific apparatus, such as a specialpurpose computer and/or a similar special purpose computing and/ornetwork device. In the context of this specification, therefore, aspecial purpose computer and/or a similar special purpose computingand/or network device is capable of processing, manipulating and/ortransforming signals and/or states, typically in the form of physicalelectronic and/or magnetic quantities, within memories, registers,and/or other storage devices, processing devices, and/or display devicesof the special purpose computer and/or similar special purpose computingand/or network device. In the context of this particular disclosure, asmentioned, the term “specific apparatus” therefore includes a generalpurpose computing and/or network device, such as a general purposecomputer, once it is programmed to perform particular functions, such aspursuant to program software instructions.

In the preceding description, various aspects of claimed subject matterhave been described. For purposes of explanation, specifics, such asamounts, systems, and/or configurations, as examples, were set forth. Inother instances, well-known features were omitted and/or simplified soas not to obscure claimed subject matter. While certain features havebeen illustrated and/or described herein, many modifications,substitutions, changes, and/or equivalents will now occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all modifications and/or changes as fallwithin claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A docking system comprising: a base mount; and acase mount for receiving a portable computing device, wherein the casemount releasably docks and locks with the base mount in any of aplurality of different docking position orientations, wherein eachdocking position orientation corresponds to a different rotationalorientation of the case mount relative to the base mount; wherein thecase mount comprises a plurality of case mount electrical contacts thatare organized into a plurality of case mount contact groups; wherein thebase mount comprises a plurality of base mount electrical contacts;wherein the case mount contact groups are arranged in a pattern on thecase mount that permits a physical connection between the base mountelectrical contacts and a different one of the case mount contact groupsfor each of the different docking position orientations, wherein each ofthe physical connections provides a communication path for the portablecomputing device with a network via the case mount and the base mount;wherein the case mount further comprises a plurality of notches; whereinthe base mount further comprises a plurality of latches and an actuator;wherein the notches and latches are positioned on the case mount andbase mount respectively to permit engagement between the notches and thelatches when the case mount is docked and locked with the base mount inany of the different docking position orientations; wherein theactuator, in response to an actuation of the actuator when the casemount is docked and locked with the base mount in any of the differentdocking position orientations, causes the latches to move in a mannerthat permits disengagement of the case mount from the base mount to anundocked position for the case mount if an undocking force is applied tothe case mount; wherein the case mount further comprises a metallicelement and a case mount circuit; wherein the base mount furthercomprises a magnet and a base mount circuit; wherein the base mount isrotatable relative to an axis; wherein the case mount circuit and thebase mount circuit are configured for data communication with each otherthrough an interface that includes a data communication connectionthrough the physical connection; and wherein the different dockingposition orientations further include a magnetic attraction between themagnet and the metallic element that holds the case mount in place withthe base mount.
 2. The docking system of claim 1 wherein the magnetcomprises a plurality of magnets that are arranged in a ring patternaround the base mount.
 3. The docking system of claim 2 wherein themetallic element comprises a plurality of metallic elements that arearranged in a ring pattern around the case mount.
 4. The docking systemof claim 1 wherein the base mount is arranged as a disk-shaped femalemount, and wherein the case mount is arranged as a disk-shaped malemount.
 5. The docking system of claim 1 wherein the base mountelectrical contacts comprise a plurality of spring-loaded contact pins.6. The docking system of claim 1 wherein the case mount contact groupsand the base mount electrical contacts are arranged on the case mountand base mount respectively to permit docking position orientations thatinclude a portrait orientation and a landscape orientation for theportable computing device.
 7. The docking system of claim 6 wherein thecase mount contact groups and the base mount electrical contacts arearranged on the case mount and base mount respectively to permit dockingposition orientations that include the portrait orientation, an invertedportrait orientation, the landscape orientation, and an invertedlandscape orientation for the portable computing device.
 8. The dockingsystem of claim 7 wherein the case mount contact groups comprise 4 casemount contact groups that are positioned on the case mount along acircular pattern at 90 degree angular intervals relative to each other,and wherein the base mount electrical contacts are positioned in acircular arc pattern on the base mount.
 9. The docking system of claim 1wherein the base mount further comprises a cam ring, wherein theactuator, in response to the actuation of the actuator when the casemount is docked and locked with the base mount in any of the differentdocking position orientations, rotates the cam ring to cause the latchesto move in the manner that permits disengagement of the case mount fromthe base mount to the undocked position for the case mount if theundocking force is applied to the case mount.
 10. The docking system ofclaim 9 wherein the actuator comprises a solenoid actuator.
 11. Thedocking system of claim 10 wherein solenoid actuator comprises aplurality of solenoid actuators.
 12. The docking system of claim 1wherein the base mount circuit comprises: a network interface thatconnects the base mount with the network and receives data from thenetwork according to a first protocol; and a network protocol converterthat converts the data received by the network interface from the firstprotocol to a second protocol; and wherein the interface supports datacommunication according to the second protocol.
 13. The docking systemof claim 12 wherein the second protocol comprises a USB protocol. 14.The docking system of claim 13 wherein the first protocol comprises anEthernet protocol.
 15. The docking system of claim 13 wherein theinterface supports USB data communication speeds that include a speed of800 Mb per second.
 16. The docking system of claim 1 wherein the basemount circuit provides an actuation signal to the actuator in responseto an unlock command from the portable computing device and/or a cardreader that communicates with the base mount circuit via an auxiliarydriver.
 17. The docking system of claim 1 further comprising: a stand; afirst arm connected to and extending from the stand; a second armconnected to and extending from the stand; wherein the base mount isrotatably connected to the first and second arms such that the axisextends from the first arm to the second arm.
 18. The docking system ofclaim 1 wherein the base mount, as part of unlocking the docked andlocked case mount, removes power from the base mount electrical contactsprior to actuating the actuator.
 19. The docking system of claim 1wherein the case mount further comprises a case enclosure for holdingthe portable computing device.